1 (Short) Chapter 1: Future’s past

*All genshin characters are owned by Mihoyo and their subsidiaries with the exception of my own OC's and characters introduced for plot purposes. Enjoy.

(Genshin Impact is a open-world RPG with really good graphics and amazing action. I highly recommend you play it. It's fun and I would love to play sometime with you guys)

Lunaria planet, Moderna city, Twilight elementary school for gifted children, 4th grade

A soft golden light shone through a bustling classroom, filled with children. The children in question? They were focused on their teacher. Their normal chaotic pandemonium was nowhere to be found. They were sitting in a circle, huddling around their middle-aged teacher as she told them a story… no.. a legend.

" An empire spanning several star systems, flourishing throughout the endless universe. A glorious kingdom of unmatched beauty and prosperity, yet with a dark past. An empire of such magnitude could only be built by stepping on an incalculable number of skeletons. Who dares to create such an empire? Who dares to defy the heavenly principles and overcome their prophesied destiny? Such a journey is not for the faint of heart. An unmatched creation needs an unmatched creator. An unbreakable will and determination, intellect exceeding the wisest of scholars, and peerless strength. Our illustrious ruler is one such individual." asserted, Mrs Eldrin

The children were staring at her with stars in their little eyes.

"WOAHHHHHHHH" chorused the class

Mrs. Eldrin watched with satisfaction as she recalled her own reaction from many years ago.

"Yes, it was only with his unrivaled tenacity and urgency for peace that we all can sit here today in peace without worry. This was way before our time little ones, it was a time where instead of one gigantic empire, we were seven small nations. Each nation was divided through different cultures, religions, and livelihoods. Their ruler's too busy concerned with the nuances of their own power and immortality to be concerned with mortals. While some were caring like the Archon of Geo, others like the Immortal Shogun forced her subjects through many hardships. However, the benevolence of the lord reached her. Through his gentle hand, he guided the nations together. He eliminated all distinctions that separated humanity." Mrs. Eldrin spoke with seriousness.

One small hand rose among the pile. A little girl asked "Mrs. Eldrin, how did the emperor do this? I remember reading that people didn't like each other then. They even used to… hic~hic~ call us monsters."

The girl had a tribal mask covering her face and she had little white bandages covering her forearms. Her hair was reminiscent of a lion's mane.

Mrs. Eldrin's eyes softened at the sight of the little girl at the verge of tears. With the reminder of the deep discrimination monsters and hybrids faced, the other children also started to have teary eyes.

Mrs. Eldrin looked around the class and saw a diverse class full of "hybrids". Hybrids were the children of humans and monsters. While monsters and humans made peace many years ago, hybrids were still a sensitive topic.

However this is just because Lunaria used to only be Lunarian-inhabited a century ago. Hybrids were a common sight in the empire's territories, but Lunaria was still coping from the introduction of "outsiders" .Yet, she knew this was just an initial reaction and after a couple years, this would be gone. It would have to be, the lord wasn't generous to the discriminatory.

Mrs. Elrid sighed internally, she knew if she didn't do something, she would have to spend all afternoon buying ice-cream for sad little children. That was something her wallet would not look forward to.

"Mia, this planet is still new to outsiders. It's hard and something that none of you should not face ever in your lifetimes. But you will and you have to for yourself and future generations. However, never forget this. The empire provides for its subjects as much as its subjects provide for it. They will all come around, this is not the first planet and it won't be the last as the empire expands more and more." reassured, Mrs. Eldrin

"YEAHHHH, come on Mia. Besides, remember the capital planet Teyvat; the birthplace of the empire. My great-grandma says we used to be called monsters. Now look at it, there are so many people living right next to each other. Lun-ari-ans or whatever they are called will come around." yelled a short boy with wolf ears on his head.

Mrs. Eldrin looked at the boy with appreciation for his help and continued her story of their mighty emperor.

Such a sight was mirrored by hundreds of billions of people across hundreds of planets. They were all singing praise to their emperor. A happy ending if you will. However it's the journey that matters and now that you know the end. Let us see how the ending was reached.

200 years ago…

The grass bristled from the wind atop a humongous cliff. A beautiful glimmering blue expanse of water could be seen from above. A curious anomaly could be seen disrupting this showcase of nature's beauty.

A shirtless youth around 15-16 years of age was laying down on the emerald grass. His hair was blacker than the night with a healthy olive skin tone framed with a strong jawline. A peaceful picture, however a face that would normally turn heads anywhere it went was caked in blood!

The boy's face and body were marred with cuts and bruises. Dark purple bruises covered his upper body with his face engulfed in small cuts. The boy's body was trembling, almost as if he was going to wake up any second.

All of a sudden, the boy's eyes shot open. Sea-green eyes scanned its environment for any danger while trying to get up. It ended up failing as the boy groaned in pain and fell back into the earth's embrace.

"I'm not in New York anymore, Am I?"